Sony camcorders and imovie

okay, so I have tried everything under the sun to try and transfer my Sony hi-8 camcorder video to my imovie without success and many hours of tech support from apple and sony. No resolution. I understand there is a compatibility issue with the two. I was wondering if anyone has information on using a analog to dv converter to try and bypass this problem? I was looking into the DAC 100 as reviewed on Macworld. Any input?

Should be more straightforward than that.
I don't know your camcorder. But the problem seems that you cannot use firewire connection to capture directly into FCE (or iMovie): any DVD or hard disk camcorder usually compresses into MPEG2, and this is not the input format for FCE and iMovie. You have to convert it, as you did, and this both takes time and loses quality.
BTW if you use MPEG Stremclip to import into FCE you must send output to .mov format, while for iMovie to .dv (DV stream).
Piero

Similar Messages

SDHC Camcorders and iMovie????

Does anyone know if the new Hi Def camcorders from Panasonic and Samsung that use a SDHC card and the H.264 video codec work with iMovie HD?

It would probably be able to mount the card (card reader required) and you could then drag the file from it to your Desktop.
But it's the video format that will probably give you issues. Any will need conversion to DV Stream and iMovie can't do that conversion in most cases.
If your camera choice stores the video as MPEG-2 you'll need third party software for the conversion. Some use MPEG-4 format but oddball codecs that do not follow industry standards. Do some more homework before buying.

Sony Camcorders and IM08

According to the blurb, IM08 supports many DVD camcorders. Apple list, amongst others, the Sony DCR-DVD308. This is virtually the same camera as the 608 which I have (sold in the UK as the DVD106E)) but I cannot get IM08 to open it. Does anyone have experience with this camera please and what am I doing wrong?

Wait a minute iMovie 08 can simply IMPORT the content via "Import from Camera..."
_ Using your camcorder, record at least 30 seconds of video in Normal or Video mode. (Not VR mode)
_ Finalize the video on your camcorder
_ Turn your camcorder OFF
_ Quit all your applications
_ Launch iMovie 08
_ Connect a USB cable from the camcorder to your Mac
_ Turn your camcorder ON
_ From the camcorder, select the option that allows it to mount to your desktop - usually COMPUTER or PC option.
_ Wait about 20 SECONDS for the camcorder to mount and to be detected by iMovie 08
_ Generally the Imovie 08 "IMPORT WINDOW" will open.
_ From the Import Window, I usually select the "MANUAL" import option
_ Once there the rest is easy.

Sony camcorder and imovie 6

I have a movie on my camcorder and i can get it to download into imovie. it shows up in DVD player. support had me download Mactheripper, i guess it ripper the video and automaticlly puts it in imovie. i can't figure out macthe ripper. i need help!!!!!! pam

Oh, I see.
iMovie 6 can only import footage that is on miniDV tapes, not the disks or memory cards or hard drive camcorders.The video is probably MPEG 2 or 4, a compressed format that iMovie cannot read. If you want to use that type in iMovie, you need to convert it to DV format. Conversion may cause some loss of quality. You can use MPG Streamclip for the conversion. Whatever you do, do not put a mini disk into the disk drive of your Mac. It can get stuck and damage the drive, since the Mac is not designed to be used with these mini disks.
Here are some sites that address this.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6799225&#6799225
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6236303&#6236303
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/

Sony DVDirect and iMovie

I just purchased a Sony DVDirect recorder to convert some old VHS tapes to DVD. My question is "Can I import these or rather have iMovie read the DVDs that are created by DVDirect? It doesn't support firewire so I don't think I can import direct. But what do I need to convert the MPEG-2 encoded file to something iMovie can read. And , lastly, is there a better or easier way to do this? I do NOT have a digital camcorder to facilitate transfer.
micky
iMac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

* DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
* Apple mpeg2 plugin (29$) + Streamclip (free)
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
* Toast 6/7 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
* connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and transfer disk to tape/use as converter
non of these apps override copyprotection mechanisms as on commercial dvds...
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml

Unusaul problem with capturing footage of a sony Z1 and iMovie 11, any help?

Trying to capture video off of a Z1 camera like i have done many times before but for some reason the screen stays blue in iMovie 11? It can still control it but nothing is show on screen, any help?

Hello Matt
Thank you for your reply. I tried all that you suggested but nada! Nothing worked.
So I brought the Sony Camcorder back to the store (as it was brand new a couple of days old) and exchanged it for a Canon Legria HF R206 HD.
I can now easily upload the video and photos from this camcorder onto my MacBook and it all works fine that way.
But my MAIN PROBLEM is that iMovie in my iPad2 can't read the content of the camcorder using iMovie?
I'm wondering if it has something to do with the fact that I'm using a different version of iMovie on the MacBook vs the iPad 2. Everything works fine using version iMovie 09 ver. 8.0.5 (820) on the MacBook.
I'm using iMovie version 122 ( 2010-2011) on the Ipad2.
After going back to the store and dropping an extra 20 Euro as I was advised that this Camcorder does work well with all Apple products, I now find that it may be the version of iMovie that is preventing the upload to iPad2.
Can you shed any of your wisdom on this for me please?
Many thanks
Aryelle

Sony a6000 and iMovie

This is perhaps not a strict iMovie question, but a general video question. I got the Sony A6000, which has many video formats. The top is AVHCD 60p, but I already googled that 60p is not compatible with iMovie (in fact, it's not even imported to my Mac). I tried AVHCD 60i; that does import, but I get artifacts (look at the bucket in the picture). So, which video format should I use for best results for Apple? I would prefer a format that, for example, can be directly viewed on iPad without further editing (although eventually I will edit in iMovie).

Hey, I just bought the same camera and it works perfectly on iMovie 08. I'm not sure about 09, but I imagine it will work on there as well. Good luck!

Sony Flip and imovie

My macbook is less then a year old and I have the 08 version of imovie. I am beginning to get into editing and wonder about editing video from the flip. Specifically the HD model. Does anyone have experience with this?

The MacBook should be adequate for basic editing. iMovie7 (from iLife '08) will get the job done.
As far as a flip goes, a camera is just a camera. They record footage. I'm not sure what the recording format is, but pretty much anything can be converted to a QuickTime format compatible with iMovie.
I would encourage you to start in standard definition with an ordinary mini-DV camera since the footage is directly compatible and easier to work with. HD is fine but will require more processing power in the edit and will have to be downconverted if you're planning on making DVDs or releasing to the web. Contrary to popular belief, High Definition formats are not supported for standard DVD creation. The gear and software to create a Blu-ray disc will run you several thousand more and most people can't play them.
After you learn how to edit and author, all bets are off...

My ipad does not appear in itunes. I am OS 10.6, itunes is up to date, I have restarted computer and ipad and switched usb sockets. Dont know if its related, but I can no longer see my sony handycam in imovies too.

My brand new iPad 2 does not appear in iTunes. I am OS 10.6, iTunes is up to date, I have restarted computer and iPad and switched usb sockets. Don't know if its related, but I can no longer see my Sony Handycam in iMovies too.

What content are you wanting to copy of the iPad ? You should be able to copy off anything that you've purchased from Apple (films, music, ibooks, apps etc) by connecting the iPad to your computer's iTunes and doing File > Transfer Purchases. If you want to copy off music copied from your own CDs or purchased from other sites then you will need to find a program for your computer that can copy them off – iTunes won't copy them off.
For photos taken with the iPad, copied to it via the camera connection kit or saved from emails/websites then you should be able to copy them off via the Windows camera wizard.
For photos that were originally synced from a computer you will need a third-party app such as Simple Transfer which can copy them off via your wifi network. But as photos are 'optimised' when they are synced to the iPad, any that you then copy back to a computer may not be exactly the same as they originally were on your computer.
Content in third-party apps (documents and files etc) then how you copy that content off will depend upon what the apps that they are in support e.g.either via the file sharing section at the bottom of the device's apps tab when connected to iTunes, via wifi, email, dropbox etc.

How do I import from my Sony Z5, FCPX and iMovie do not recognise the file format?

How do I import from my Sony Z5, FCPX and iMovie do not recognise the file format?

GR-Blitz,
You can see a few ways of doing it in this thread:
https://forums.adobe.com/message/6474423#6474423

I downloaded a film from a sony camcorder to iMovie and then burned to a DVD in iDvd. When showing it on my TV their is a shimmering in certain edges.

I downloaded a movie from a Sony camcorder to iMovie, did some editing and transfered it to iDVD where I burned it onto a DVD.
When I showed it on my TV I had shimmering on certain edges. Has anyone had this happen and if so how did you eleminate it?

Hi
A. Do not Use - Share to iDVD - in any iMovie version at all !
B. Start a BRAND NEW iDVD project
C. in iMovie'08 to 11 - Share to Media Browser and as LARGE - NOT HD or other resolution as quality will be even worse
- in iMovie HD6 - just close it and from within iDVD import the iMovie movie project icon (with a Star on it)
- FinalCut - Export as QuickTime Movie - NO QUICKTIME CONVERSION - AT ALL !
D. When in iDVD - see to that in the Lay-out menu (when it looks like a box-plott) there ARE NOTHING in the upper left most box (Auto Start box). As this overruns any Menu.
E. Save as a DiskImage - TEST this first - befor burning any DVDs
Yours Bengt W

Hearing conflicting reports. What camcorders work best with macbook pro and imovie

I am looking to purchase a new HD Camcorder, but Im told some of them dont work well with macbook pro and Imovie.
Im in the process of buying a new iMac and want to make sure I will be able to load the movies direrct to imovie.
Thanks.

This forum is for mobile iMovie (iPads & iPhones).
you may need the iMovie Mac forum:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/ilife/imovie

How do I get the Movies off my new Sony Handycam using iMovie?

WOW! I didn’t think that this would be such an issue!
So, I purchase a new Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 with a 30 GB
Hard Drive in it. I ask the sales person “Is this camera compatible
with my G5 Mac?” He says, it sure is! I take it home record the kids
around the house, and my daughter’s ballet recidal. COOL!
Then I go and try and downlaod the movies to my Mac. I come to
find out that the 2 cds that came with the camera are pretty worthless!
Sony states in one of the bullet points in the instruction manuel
that the software on the cd will not work on a Macintosh computer.
So, I figured, NO big deal, I will be using iMovie! Unfortunately
iMovie does not recognize the camera when I hook it up, because
it can only hook up using a USB connection. It doesn’t even offer
a Firewire connection, and iMovie ONLY recognizes Firewire.
I then find on one of the cds, a PDF of the Handycam Handbook.
It states in the PDF, that Mac users need to open the disk icon
on the desk top for the camera, and copy the files from the camera
to my hard drive. So I follow the steps and do this. Then I go to
open one of the files using Qucktime, and I get an error message
stating that Quicktime cannot open the file because it could not
parse it -2048!?!?!
Next, I go to the Apple web site to see if I can find anything to
resolve all this. I find an article “iMovie does not work with muxed
MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 clips” In the article it states that if the files
are MPEG2 Muxed files, iMovie can not support them!
I come to find out that the files are MPEG2 Muxed files. It seems
that the newer camcorders are using this format, because the files
are heavily compressed to allow the camera to cram more data
on the hard disk. The problem is you need some kind of software
to decompress these files in order to use them, and Sony doesn’t
include it for the Mac!
After more research I find - QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback on the
Apple web site. I purchase it for $19.99 from the site hoping this
will be the answer. Nope! It allowed me to open the movies in
QuickTime, and copy them into iMovie but they are only the
video portion. They have NO audio!
Anyone else run into this whole pile of BS?!?!!? If so, were you
able to figure out a work around? Or, are you stuck with a cool
camera full of movies, with NO way of getting them off with
sound? Well. unless you find someone with a PC that has
a DVD burner in it! Man, that thought scares the ---- out of me!
°Jeff Camp
camper
G5 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Get a nice Sony miniDV camcorder. It is not too expensive; it is small and easy to carry around to shoot your video. Most importantly, it will be instantly compatible with iMovie. You don't have to install any software, just connect it via FireWire (Sony calls this iLink) and you are good to go!
I have had several Sonys and love them. You don't need one with fancy editing capabilities because you will edit your movies in iMovie. Just be sure that it has AV In and Out so you can import and export back to the camcorder.
My current version is the small DCR HC-26. There are newer versions of that HC-30something and 40something. Look at the specs on Sony's website
Some of them require the use of a dock to import and export. I am not really fond of that feature. I like just connecting directly to the camera.

Older Sony mini DV cam (Sony DCR-PC5) & imovie hd "no camera attached"

My imovie hd does not appear to be compatible with my Sony DCR-PC5 using a mini dv tape. When I plug my fire-wire cable from the camera into my computer my imovie does not recognize the camera. (although my camera recognizes with "DV IN). How can I get imovie to recognize my camera so I can begin downloading?

Hi
My list to try to find the problem.
Cable
• Sure that You use the FireWire - USB will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toogle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on<->off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK eg recording and playback to TV)
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minmum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
*Using WHAT versions ?*
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie 8 (7.1.?) ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
Other ways to import Your miniDV tape.
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Exchange formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpfull insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
*from Karsten.*
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About../More..
under Firewire.. what do you read..?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choise / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
Yours Bengt W

New iMac and iMovie don't recognize Panasonic camcorder

I've had a Panasonic PV GS400 for a few years. I've flawlessly imported video into my old G4 tower. I recently purchased a new iMac. Because the Firewire cable that I had was for FW400, I had to buy a 4 pin to 9 pin Firewire 800 cable to connect the camcorder to the computer. But it is not recognizing the camcorder. I tested the firewire port on the Mac with other peripherals and it is working properly. And I'm still able to connect the camcorder to the G4 tower no problem, so the camcorder is working properly. I then figured it was a bad cable, so I bought a new one. Same deal. I even tried connecting the camcorder with the new cable to my MacBook Pro FW800 port. No go. But when I tried it on the MBP Firewire 400 port it worked fine.
So my question is this, is anyone aware of an issue like this where a relatively new (2006) camcorder can't be recognized by FW800?
I was finally able to import video onto the iMac by 1) connecting an external FW400 hard drive to the Mac's FW800 port with a 6 to 9 pin connector then 2) connecting the camcorder to the FW400 port on the external drive. It works, but is hardly elegant.
Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Hi
+I was finally able to import video onto the iMac by 1) connecting an external FW400 hard drive to the Mac's FW800 port with a 6 to 9 pin connector then 2) connecting the camcorder to the FW400 port on the external drive. It works, but is hardly elegant.+
That's the way I connected too.
I like to have the HD on the speediest connector to get a smooth playback.
Else read.
Cable
• Sure that You use the FireWire - USB will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toogle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on<->off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK eg recording and playback to TV)
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minmum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie 8 (7.1.?) ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
Other ways to import Your miniDV tape.
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Exchange formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
*from LKN 1935.*
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpfull insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
*from Karsten.*
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About../More..
under Firewire.. what do you read..?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choise / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
Yours Bengt W

Sony camcorders and imovie

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for